Maryland's basketball team finally put away a major opponent last night in holding off Illinois at the Comcast Center, 69-60. Last week at a tournament in Kansas City, the Terps were bounced by UCLA and Missouri and were miserable from three-point range (a combined 2-for-26).  Against the 4-2 Illini, Maryland (5-2), shot a much more respectable 6-for-19 from three-point range and better than 44 percent overall. It was the sort of game that should build some confidence for a young Maryland team.

* NBA Commissioner David Stern saw his league's life flash before his eyes as Cleveland's LeBron James injured his index finger in a game against Detroit. So far, examination of the NBA's golden meal ticket has revealed a sprain and not a break. Undoubtedly distracted by James' injury, the Cavaliers -- who played as if they had only two guys on the court for the third period while the rest of the team paced nervously in the waiting room -- were waxed by the revenge-seeking Pistons by 35 points.

Photo credit: Duane Burleson/AP